The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he pushed for the removal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara before President Bola Tinubu intervened by declaring a state of emergency in the state.
Wike made the disclosure on Friday during a media chat in Abuja, where he addressed ongoing political tensions in Rivers State and issues within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to Wike, Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025, effectively saved Governor Fubara from being removed from office. The declaration suspended the governor, his deputy, and the state legislature, and installed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the state administrator.
“As a politician, I am not happy about the state of emergency in Rivers State,” Wike said. “I wanted the outright removal of Governor Fubara. The president, by declaring a state of emergency, saved Fubara.”
The former Rivers governor also accused Fubara’s advisers of frustrating peace efforts in the state, saying they had continued to discourage the governor from reconciling with his political opponents.
Wike further criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for spearheading efforts to form a coalition of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections. He alleged that the move is driven by Atiku’s personal ambition to contest the presidency again.
“On the side of those seeking coalition is selfish interest, the likes of Atiku and other people,” Wike said. “Everybody wants to be president. Nobody wants to build our party into a formidable opposition.”
Wike warned that the PDP is not ready for the 2027 general elections, citing a lack of structure and preparation within the party.
“The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. You don’t just carry a bag to class and say you are reading. Are you truly studying? That’s the state of the PDP,” he said.
The FCT minister also explained his opposition to Atiku’s presidential bid in 2023, saying it was not because he was not chosen as a running mate but due to Atiku’s alleged dishonesty and failure to honour agreements.
“I wanted power rotation. I could not have imagined that after eight years of Buhari, power would return to the North,” Wike said. “From day one, I told my delegates that Atiku does not keep his word.”
Wike cited a 2019 incident where Atiku, Bukola Saraki, and Uche Secondus allegedly promised him the opportunity to nominate the Attorney General and Minister of Petroleum if the PDP won. He claimed the promise was never fulfilled.
“They constituted the legal team without involving the person they promised would nominate the Attorney General. I knew then that Atiku’s word couldn’t be trusted,” Wike said.
Wike, a key member of the G5 group of former PDP governors, has been vocal about the internal crisis within the party and continues to call for structural reforms and leadership accountability.
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